Sunday, August 10, 2025
Monday, August 04, 2025
Publishing Portal--August 4, 2025
The latest news from Eckhartz Press, and a chance to peek into some of the great previous offerings from our humble little publishing company.
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=You know you are making a mark when Variety talks about your film. Read the whole article here (second item). A short excerpt...
“Dick Allen was a simple man from the coal town of Wampum, Pennsylvania, who faced relentless adversity during the heat of the Civil Rights era — all while becoming a legend on the baseball field,” says Billman in the film’s press release. “This film will show why Dick Allen is deserving of a place in the Hall of Fame, and how many — including his own son — considered him a hero.”
“My Father, Dick Allen” is narrated by actor Jocko Sims (“New Amsterdam,” “High Potential”) and is produced by Dr. David J. Fletcher, John Owens, Sharon Pannozzo, Willa Allen, and Richard Allen Jr., and is set to be released in 2026.
=We sold a ton of Chili Dog MVP books in Cooperstown during the Hall of Fame induction weekend. Thanks so much to Willis Monie books for hosting us multiple times over the weekend. We kept getting visits from White Sox royalty. Former Sox pitcher Tom Bradley (shown below with Doc Fletcher), former White Sox manager Chuck Tanner's son (shown below with John Owens), and the grandson of former White Sox owner John Allyn, Brian (shown below with Doc Fletcher)
=Bob Conlon continues making the rounds. This week he tells his story to the Chicago Writes podcast.
=Author Mark Wukas (photo) will be appearing at Max & Benny's on August 11 (Northbrook) to tape a podcast and do a book signing. You can register here. That's a week from tonight. Be sure to reserve your seat. It's filling up fast.
=Another Mob Adjacent video dropped this week.
=One of the joys of the Gentile brothers (Jeff & Michael) book Mob Adjacent is the way it intersperses Hollywood and the Mob in Chicago. Eddie Fisher was born this week in 1928 (August 10). One of the funnier sections in the book involves mob wives arguing about the merits of allowing Eddie Fisher to perform in mob nightclubs after Eddie was so cruel to his first wife Debbie Reynolds. Mob Adjacent was a finalist for Chicago Writer's Association Book of the Year in 2020.
=Sad week for the EveryCubEver team. Losing Ryne Sandberg was a tough blow. EveryCubEver author Rick Kaempfer tells his Ryne Sandberg story in this video...
=This week's birthday boy, former Cubs pitcher Rich Nye (August 4) is one of only a handful of Cubs featured in EveryCubEver who have also had their photograph taken with the author of the book Rick Kaempfer.
=Eckhartz Press author Becky Sarwate is celebrating a birthday this week (August 8). In 2018 and 2019 she co-wrote two different editions of the book Cubsessions for us. Still one of our favorites. Have a great birthday, Becky!
Bob Sirott
=The WGN Radio morning host has been a big supporter of Eckhartz Press over the years. He endorsed the book Life Behind the Camera by Chuck Quinzio with these words...
Anyone in broadcasting will be fascinated by Chuck Quinzio’s TV and radio adventures. I thought I heard Chuck’s best stories during my time working with him in the TV news business, but he saved the best for this book! His writing talent makes it a great read for everybody.
=Bob also contributed several stories to John Landecker's book Records Truly is My Middle Name, and was interviewed by Randy Richardson & Becky Sarwate for Cubsessions. Bob also interviewed Rick Kaempfer about EveryCubEver. Sirott is celebrating a birthday this week (August 9). Happy birthday Bob!
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Doin' the Cruise and The Loop Files and The Flip Side
=One of the most memorable passages of Mitch Michaels' book is about the crazy times he experienced at ChicagoFest. That music festival debuted this week (August 8) in 1978. The cover photo for Mitch's book was taken there, on Navy Pier. That incredible event is also described, of course, in The Loop Files and The Flip Side. Three different angles on an amazing event in Chicago history.
=This week in 1979 (August 5), just a few weeks after Disco Demolition, the Loop was back at Comiskey Park. This time it was a mega-concert called A Day at the Park. Among the acts on the bill that night, Journey. Sky Daniels and Mitch Michaels were on hand to introduce the bands. (Photos: Paul Natkin).
=Whitney Houston was born this week in 1963 (August 9). She also appears in two Eckhartz Press books, The Loop Files and The Flip Side.
=This week in 2018 (August 9), Chet Coppock officially released his Eckhartz Press book Your Dime My Dance Floor. (Q&A with Chet). We had a book launch party in Arlington Heights, and it was like a trip down memory lane for Chet as his former co-workers came out to cheer him on. That's Mike Davis, Jim Modelski, and Tom Serritella.
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=This week in 2016 (August 10), Eckhartz Press released the memoir In Small Boxes written by Ann R. Wilson. Ann had a great launch party in her hometown...
=This week in 2018 (August 5), Eckhartz Press author Richard Reeder appeared on WCGO radio (Playtime with Bill Turck)...
=When Janet Sutherland-Madden's mother passed away in 2019, one of her final wishes was to donate a hundred of Janet's books (Nose Over Toes) to the UIC Department of Neurosurgery. That wish was fulfilled this week in 2019 (August 5). The book is now being given out to patients who are afflicted with brain aneurysms. That's Janet with Dr. Konstantin Slavin.
=Another wonderful review of Surviving Sue. This one comes from author Deborah Brasket ("When Things Go Missing"). She wrote...
Surviving Sue is a tender, heart-breaking and meticulously detailed memoir about surviving the trauma of growing up with an abusive and mentally unstable mother. Most of all, we learn how the author grows strong and wise and compassionate despite all she suffers. She is evidence of the old truism: what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
=Surviving Sue author Vicki Atkinson did a presentation at the Woodstock Public Library this week in 2024. It was a nice turnout at a beautiful library.
=One of the very first signature shoes was worn by tennis star Rod Laver (born August 9). A decade later, basketball star Patrick Ewing (born August 5) debuted his own signature shoe. Both are featured in Ryan Trembath's book.
Records Truly Is My Middle Name
=This week in 1997, this famous video of the great movie trailer voice over artists debuted at the Hollywood Reporter Key Art Awards
=One of those five men, John Leader, is also featured in John Landecker's book Records Truly Is My Middle Name. The two Johns went to college together and worked in radio together in Michigan during their formative radio years. This photo of the two Johns is in the book.
=This week in 2013 (August 6), the Heidelberg American Middle School closed it's doors for the final time. That school plays a critical role in Rick Kaempfer's novel Back in the DDR. One of the scenes at that school is featured here.
=Legendary Chicago newscaster Fahey Flynn was born (August 6, 1916) and died (August 8, 1983) this week in history. His longtime co-anchor Joel Daly delivered Fahey's eulogy. That entire moving eulogy is in the pages of Joel's Eckhartz Press book, The Daly News.
=This week in 2004 (August 8), the Dave Matthews band made headlines when their tour bus dumped a load of human waste into the Chicago River. Unfortunately, there was a boat tour going on at the time. Bobby Skafish got the first interview with Dave Matthews after that unfortunate incident. It rates a full chapter in Bobby's book We Have Company.
=Yes, Randy Merkin was a sports-radio producer, and yes most of the stories in his book Behind the Glass are about sports figures. However, he also has at least one story about booking a guest who would become the president of the United States. That former president, Barack Obama, is celebrating a birthday this week (August 4)
Friday, August 01, 2025
Illinois Entertainer
The new issue of Illinois Entertainer is out and includes my interview with the Score's David Haugh. https://t.co/mSEmYmXGdf
— Rick Kaempfer (@RickKaempfer) August 1, 2025
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Minutia Men
The episode is called "Truth in Russian Advertising"
Switzerland finally not neutral, misspelled collectibles, a
White Sox players comedy show, a Texan moves to Russia, AI playing Match Game,
and a tribute to Ozzy.
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Publishing Portal--July 30, 2025
The latest news from Eckhartz Press, and a chance to peek into some of the great previous offerings from our humble little publishing company.
=What a weekend for your humble Chili Dog MVP team. We were in Cooperstown New York for the induction ceremony of Dick Allen, the subject of our book Chili Dog MVP. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 54 Hall of Famers were there, including Fergie Jenkins who helped our guys sell the book one day. Many other former big leaguers were there supporting ex-teammates (Gary Matthews, Mike Cameron, Eric Davis, etc.). We had our profesional photographer there too (Ken Smoller), and will post those photos when we get them. We also filmed so many people for the film about Dick. In the meantime, here are a few of our personal pics from the weekend...
=How is the movie coming along? Judge for yourself by watching the trailer. The perfect ending for the movie, of course, happened this weekend in Cooperstown.
=Dr. Fletcher also appeared on Minutia Men Celebrity Interview last week.
=This week in 2022 (July 28), Dr. Fletcher gave a well-attended chat at Cantigny in Wheaton. It was a fun celebration of the 50th anniversary of the 1972 White Sox.
=Their best explanation yet of what Mob Adjacent really means...
=Happy birthday (July 29) to Mob Adjacent co-author Mike Gentile. Mike is the older of the Gentile brothers, and the one who really sounds authentically Mob-Adjacent. Jeffrey is the more urbane of the brothers.
=The book launch for Jeff Reiter's The Best of Words on Birds will be held on September 4th, at 6:30pm at Cantigny's Visitors Center Theater. He will discuss his book, do a presentation, and then sell and sign books. You do need to pre-register for this event, but you can do it here.
=Here's the description on the Cantigny website...
Join us for an evening with Jeff Reiter, as he discusses his newly published book The Best of Words on Birds. Since 2004, suburban Chicago newspaper readers have enjoyed “Words on Birds” by Jeff Reiter. His new book, from Chicago’s Eckhartz Press, is a collection of favorite columns, selected for their appeal to every kind of birdwatcher. New birders will find helpful guidance, and all will appreciate Jeff’s engaging and insider’s approach to the fast-growing pastime. With stories about the backyard and “everyday” birds to tales of rare-bird stakeouts and cross-country adventures, Jeff personifies the hobby’s broad and addictive appeal. Along the way, he urges readers to enjoy birding on their own terms, at their own pace. The payoff is a closer connection with nature, a proven mental health benefit. Stick around after the presentation for book sales and signings. Copies of the book will be available for $20 (cash, check, or Venmo)
=Author Mark Wukas will be appearing at Max & Benny's on August 11 (Northbrook) to tape a podcast and do a book signing. You can register here.
=This past week Mark appeared at a book club on the South Side for a dozen ladies who enthusiastically enjoyed The Kiss of Night. One of them even baked special cookies for the event.
=The Kiss of Night is now also selling at the Book Cellar in Lincoln Square (Chicago).
=One of the most rewarding days in publishing is the day the author gets his or her first copy of their book. To Nudge the World's Jim Slusher had that moment this week, last year. So what did he do with his first copy? Naturally, he gave it to his mom. Jim's mom passed away just a few months later, but she got to see her son become a published author. That's her in the photo below...
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=This week in 2018 (August 3), Eckhartz Press released retired Judge Michael Ian Bender's book Protecting Children. It provides unique insight into aiding children of divorce, custody, and parentage disputes so that they grow into healthy adults.
=Duane Scott Cerny owns one of Chicago's funkiest antique stores, and it inspired him to write the highly acclaimed Selling Dead People's Things. The book came out this week in 2017 (August 2). You can get a good feel for Duane's larger-than-life personality in this podcast interview. The man's an absolute stitch.
=This week in 2014, Bruce Bohrer had a book signing in one of the most obvious places imaginable, Murphy's Bleachers. Several of his old Cub-usher colleagues showed up to say hello. So did at least one former Cub, Rick Sutcliffe.
=One of the people featured in Chuck Swirsky's book Always a Pleasure is celebrating a birthday this week (July 28). Former Bulls coach and long-time basketball announcer Doug Collins is a Swirsky friend and confidant. Another famous basketballer is former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. It's his birthday this week too (July 31)
=Two of the people Chet Coppock wrote about in Your Dime My Dance Floor have birthdays this week. Neither of them were really sports people, although the late Irv Kupcinet (July 31) did do color commentary on Chicago Bears games (with Jack Brickhouse) for many years. Would you believe that Chet also knew Arnold Schwarzenegger (July 30).
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=This week in 2019, two Eckhartz Press authors, Deb Tokarz and Janet Sutherland, appeared on the same radio show, Playtime with Bill Turck...
=This week in 2021, Chicago media writer Robert Feder wrote about Eckhartz Press author Margaret Larkin in his Daily Herald column. Here is what he wrote...
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=This week in 2021, Paul M. Banks was making the rounds promoting his soccer book Transatlantic Passage. One of the stops was the Sports Beezer show (July 28). The following day (July 29) he appeared on WGN-TV News with Larry Hawley.
=What on earth could tie these two books together? The answer is Steve Trout. The former Cubs pitcher appeared in the book Cubsessions, and We Have Company author Bobby Skafish came out to that massive book launch party. Here's a photo to prove it...
=Trout is celebrating a birthday this week (July 30). Three of the rock stars Bobby features in his book are also celebrating birthdays this week, Rat Scabies (July 30), Robert Cray (August 1), and Jim Capaldi (August 2)
Rick Kaempfer
=Eckhartz Press co-founder Rick Kaempfer celebrated a birthday this week (July 28) too. Rick has written Father Knows Nothing, $everance, Back in the DDR, The Loop Files, and EveryCubEver for us, and co-written The Living Wills, Records Truly Is My Middle Name and Grun Weiss Vor.
=On the tenth anniversary of $everance's release (August 1, 2017), Rick updated the "Who Owns What in the Media" section at the back of the book. Here's radio. Here's the rest of traditional media. Time for another update soon.
=This week in 2019 (August 2), Rick made a few appearances promoting EveryCubEver. First he did a morning show in Elgin, then in the evening he did an appearance at Club 400 in Lake in the Hills and met former Cubs reliever Pedro Strop.
=This week in 2013, we lost one of our authors, Felizitas Sudendorf. Her book about her courageous immigration to America was a big early hit for us. It was the only book we ever released on our imprint, Helgard Press. She combined war stories with old German recipes. It was a revelation. When she passed away, Rick wrote this tribute to her. We have since lost a few other authors including Chet Coppock, Joel Daly, Pat Colander, Dena Mendes, Alex Burkholder and Mark Gelinas. All of their books live on at Eckhartz Press.
